Abstract: In general, the multi-touch detection implementations described herein use touch detection technologies to provide new and advantageous interactions between users and touch displays using touch, pens and user-wearable devices (UWDs). These new and advantageous interactions include user-associated mobile menus, combined click-through and radial marking menus, menus to automate and improve drawing or manipulation of content on a display, new menus and methods of selecting objects and text on a display, and new interactions with UWDs and touchscreen displays by using UWDs with gestures. In addition, targeted haptic feedback to the UWD of specific users of a display is enabled. In some multi-touch detection implementations menus or tools available to act on object on a display can be ported entirely, or in part, between displays, such as between small and large displays.

Abstract: A sensing device, such as a user-wearable device (UWD) worn by a user of a touchscreen, may provide kinematic data of the sensing device or UWD and/or identification data of the user to a processor that operates the touchscreen. Such data may allow the processor to perform a number of user-touchscreen interactions, such as displaying user-specific windows or menus, processing user-manipulation of displayed objects, and determining which hand of a user performs a touch event, just to name a few examples.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to roll polishers that may be utilized with rollers in rolling stands that have restrictive space requirements. The roll polisher of the present invention comprises a tube with pivot actuators used to engage and disengage a rolling pad on the surface of a roller. Transverse actuators may be located at least partially within the tube, or in other embodiments located outside of the tube, and used to move the tube, and thus, the rolling pad, transversely back and forth across the surface of the roller. The roll polisher may operate apply a force to the pad engaging the rolling surface to remove defects and smooth the surface of the polisher.

Abstract: In general, the multi-touch detection implementations described herein use touch detection technologies to provide new and advantageous interactions between users and touch displays using touch, pens and user-wearable devices (UWDs). These new and advantageous interactions include user-associated mobile menus, combined click-through and radial marking menus, menus to automate and improve drawing or manipulation of content on a display, new menus and methods of selecting objects and text on a display, and new interactions with UWDs and touchscreen displays by using UWDs with gestures. In addition, targeted haptic feedback to the UWD of specific users of a display is enabled. In some multi-touch detection implementations menus or tools available to act on object on a display can be ported entirely, or in part, between displays, such as between small and large displays.

Abstract: A sensing device, such as a user-wearable device (UWD) worn by a user of a touchscreen, may provide kinematic data of the sensing device or UWD and/or identification data of the user to a processor that operates the touchscreen. Such data may allow the processor to perform a number of user-touchscreen interactions, such as displaying user-specific windows or menus, processing user-manipulation of displayed objects, and determining which hand of a user performs a touch event, just to name a few examples.

Abstract: A user-wearable device (UWD) worn by a user of a touchscreen may provide kinematic data of the UWD and/or identification data of the user to a processor that operates the touchscreen. Such data may allow the processor to perform a number of user-touchscreen interactions, such as displaying user-specific windows or menus, processing user-manipulation of displayed objects, and determining which hand of a user performs a touch event, just to name a few examples.

Abstract: A user-wearable device (UWD) worn by a user of a touchscreen may provide kinematic data of the UWD and/or identification data of the user to a processor that operates the touchscreen. Such data may allow the processor to perform a number of user-touchscreen interactions, such as displaying user-specific windows or menus, processing user-manipulation of displayed objects, and determining which hand of a user performs a touch event, just to name a few examples.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method for collecting a sequence of security code characters includes: detecting a trajectory through a region proximate the device followed by an instrument; responsive to the trajectory, identifying one of a collection of defined gestures; and interpreting the identified gesture as the portion of the security code.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to roll polishers that may be utilized with rollers in rolling stands that have restrictive space requirements. The roll polisher of the present invention comprises a tube with pivot actuators used to engage and disengage a rolling pad on the surface of a roller. Transverse actuators may be located at least partially within the tube, or in other embodiments located outside of the tube, and used to move the tube, and thus, the rolling pad, transversely back and forth across the surface of the roller. The roll polisher may operate apply a force to the pad engaging the rolling surface to remove defects and smooth the surface of the polisher.

Abstract: Font animation technique embodiments are presented which animate alpha-numeric characters of a message or document. In one general embodiment this is accomplished by the sender transmitting parametric information and animation instructions pertaining to the display of characters found in the message or document to a recipient. The parametric information identifies where to split the characters and where to rotate the resulting sections. The sections of each character affected are then translated and/or rotated and/or scaled as dictated by the animation instructions to create an animation over time. Additionally, if a gap in a stroke of an animated character exists between the sections of the character, a connecting section is displayed to close the stroke gap making the character appears contiguous.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for a system for securing a load to a platform such as a coil to a transport system. The system includes a frame adapted for placement on a platform. The frame includes a cradle structure for engaging the load. An inflatable bladder is placed over the load and connected to the frame. When tensioned and inflated with gas, the bladder applies force to the load to secure the load to the frame and prevent movement of the coil during transport.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can preprocess audio portions of communications in order to enrich multiparty communication sessions or environments. In particular, the architecture can provide both a public channel for public communications that are received by substantially all connected parties and can further provide a private channel for private communications that are received by a selected subset of all connected parties. Most particularly, the architecture can apply an audio transform to communications that occur during the multiparty communication session based upon a target audience of the communication. By way of illustration, the architecture can apply a whisper transform to private communications, an emotion transform based upon relationships, an ambience or spatial transform based upon physical locations, or a pace transform based upon lack of presence.

Abstract: Existing remote workspace sharing systems are difficult to use. For example, changes made on a common work product by one user often appear abruptly on displays viewed by remote users. As a result the interaction is perceived as unnatural by the users and is often inefficient. Images of a display of a common work product are received from a camera at a first location. These images may also comprise information about objects between the display and the camera such as a user's hand editing a document on a tablet PC. These images are combined with images of the shared work product and displayed at remote locations. Advance information about remote user actions is then visible and facilitates collaborative mediation between users. Depth information may be used to influence the process of combining the images.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for a system for securing a load to a platform such as a coil to a transport system. The system includes a frame adapted for placement on a platform. The frame includes a cradle structure for engaging the load. An inflatable bladder is placed over the load and connected to the frame. When tensioned and inflated with gas, the bladder applies force to the load to secure the load to the frame and prevent movement of the coil during transport.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is within close physical proximity. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is in close physical proximity to it. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can preprocess audio portions of communications in order to enrich multiparty communication sessions or environments. In particular, the architecture can provide both a public channel for public communications that are received by substantially all connected parties and can further provide a private channel for private communications that are received by a selected subset of all connected parties. Most particularly, the architecture can apply an audio transform to communications that occur during the multiparty communication session based upon a target audience of the communication. By way of illustration, the architecture can apply a whisper transform to private communications, an emotion transform based upon relationships, an ambience or spatial transform based upon physical locations, or a pace transform based upon lack of presence.

Abstract: Font animation technique embodiments are presented which animate alpha-numeric characters of a message or document. In one general embodiment this is accomplished by the sender transmitting parametric information and animation instructions pertaining to the display of characters found in the message or document to a recipient. The parametric information identifies where to split the characters and where to rotate the resulting sections. The sections of each character affected are then translated and/or rotated and/or scaled as dictated by the animation instructions to create an animation over time. Additionally, if a gap in a stroke of an animated character exists between the sections of the character, a connecting section is displayed to close the stroke gap making the character appears contiguous.

Abstract: An interactive surface computer with a switchable diffuser layer is described. The switchable layer has two states: a transparent state and a diffusing state. When it is in its diffusing state, a digital image is displayed and when the layer is in its transparent state, an image can be captured through the layer. In an embodiment, a projector is used to project the digital image onto the layer in its diffusing state and optical sensors are used for touch detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends messages to other devices which are within wireless range to cause them to use any light sensor to detect a signal. In an embodiment, the light sensor is a camera and the detected signal is an image captured by the camera. Each device then sends data identifying what was detected back to the device displaying the pattern. By analyzing this data, the first device can determine which other device detected the indicator that it displayed and therefore determine that this device is in close physical proximity to it. In an example, the first device is an interactive surface arranged to identify the wireless addresses of devices which are placed on the surface.